# Intolerable Cruelty

> 2003 film by Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

**Wikidata**: [Q750117](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q750117)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intolerable_Cruelty)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/intolerable-cruelty

## Summary
Intolerable Cruelty is a 2003 American romantic comedy film directed, written, and produced by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen. Starring George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones, the film explores themes of love, divorce, and legal manipulation through a battle of wits between a wealthy lawyer and a gold-digger. It blends screwball comedy with satirical elements, characteristic of the Coen brothers' eclectic style.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: October 10, 2003 (U.S.), with international releases in 2003–2004.
- **Directors/Writers**: Joel Coen and Ethan Coen.
- **Starring**: George Clooney, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Edward Herrmann, and Julia Duffy.
- **Genre**: Romantic comedy, screwball comedy, legal drama.
- **Production Company**: Imagine Entertainment, distributed by Universal Pictures.
- **Runtime**: 90 minutes (1 hour 30 minutes).
- **Aspect Ratio**: 2.35:1 (CinemaScope).
- **Box Office**: $120.8 million worldwide ($56.6 million domestic).
- **Budget**: $60 million.
- **Ratings**: 
  - Rotten Tomatoes: 71% (Critics), 76% (Audience).
  - Metacritic: 68/100 (Generally favorable reviews).
  - IMDb: 6.8/10.
- **Filming Locations**: Los Angeles, California; New York City; and Las Vegas, Nevada.
- **Music**: Score by Carter Burwell; soundtrack includes jazz and pop tracks.
- **Awards**: Nominated for 2 Teen Choice Awards (2004).
- **Wikipedia Sitelinks**: 34 language editions.
- **Wikidata ID**: Q13595311.

## FAQs
**Who created Intolerable Cruelty?**  
The film was directed, written, and produced by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, with production by Imagine Entertainment and distribution by Universal Pictures.

**What is the film’s critical and commercial performance?**  
The film received generally positive reviews (71% on Rotten Tomatoes, 68/100 on Metacritic) and grossed $120.8 million worldwide against a $60 million budget, making it a moderate commercial success.

**What themes and genres does the film explore?**  
It combines romantic comedy, screwball comedy, and legal drama, satirizing wealth, marriage, and divorce through a battle of wits between its protagonists.

**Who stars in the film?**  
George Clooney plays successful divorce lawyer Miles Massey, while Catherine Zeta-Jones portrays gold-digger Marylin Rexroth, with supporting roles by Edward Herrmann and Julia Duffy.

**Where and when was the film released?**  
Released in the U.S. on October 10, 2003, it expanded internationally through 2004, including Germany (January 15, 2004) and Japan (March 6, 2004).

## Why It Matters
Intolerable Cruelty stands out as a unique entry in the Coen brothers’ filmography, showcasing their versatility in blending genres like screwball comedy and legal satire. It critiques societal obsessions with wealth and relationships while delivering sharp dialogue and strong performances from Clooney and Zeta-Jones. The film’s moderate box office success and positive reception highlight its appeal as both a mainstream romantic comedy and a nuanced character study, contributing to the Coen brothers’ reputation for unpredictable yet thoughtful storytelling.

## Notable For
- **Genre Hybrid**: Seamlessly merges romantic comedy with legal drama and satire.
- **Star Power**: Features George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones at the height of their careers.
- **Coen Brothers’ Style**: Demonstrates the directors’ signature dark humor and intricate plotting.
- **Cultural Commentary**: Critiques materialism and the commodification of marriage.
- **Box Office Performance**: Grossed double its budget, proving the viability of sophisticated comedies in the early 2000s market.

## Body

### Production and Release
- **Filming**: Shot in Los Angeles, New York City, and Las Vegas between January and April 2003.
- **Crew**: Produced by Brian Grazer and Ethan Coen, with cinematography by Roger Deakins and editing by Roderick Jaynes (a Coen brothers pseudonym).
- **Music**: Carter Burwell’s jazz-infused score complements the film’s tone, featuring tracks like “The Glory of Love.”

### Cast and Characters
- **George Clooney**: Portrays Miles Massey, a cynical divorce lawyer known for his “Massey prenup.”
- **Catherine Zeta-Jones**: Stars as Marylin Rexroth, a gold-digger seeking revenge against Massey.
- **Supporting Cast**: Edward Herrmann as Dingman, Julia Duffy as Christine, and Geoffrey Rush in a cameo role.

### Themes and Style
- **Satire**: Mocks legal loopholes, marital exploitation, and societal greed.
- **Dialogue**: Fast-paced, witty exchanges characteristic of the Coen brothers’ screenwriting.
- **Visuals**: Roger Deakins’ cinematography emphasizes vibrant colors and sharp compositions, contrasting the characters’ moral ambiguity.

### Reception and Legacy
- **Critical Response**: Praised for performances and humor, with some critics noting its uneven tone compared to the Coens’ darker works.
- **Awards**: Nominated for Choice Movie: Comedy and Choice Movie Actor: Comedy (Clooney) at the 2004 Teen Choice Awards.
- **Cultural Impact**: Reinforced Clooney’s comedic range and Zeta-Jones’ leading-lady status, while expanding the Coen brothers’ mainstream appeal.

### Technical Specifications
- **Runtime**: 90 minutes (5,400 seconds).
- **Aspect Ratio**: 2.35:1 (CinemaScope), enhancing its comedic and dramatic visuals.
- **Sound**: Dolby Digital 5.1, with a mix emphasizing dialogue clarity and Burwell’s score.

### Connected Entities
- **Coen Brothers**: Part of their diverse filmography, alongside *Fargo* (1996) and *No Country for Old Men* (2007).
- **Imagine Entertainment**: Produced alongside Universal Pictures, adding to the studio’s portfolio of comedy hits.
- **Romantic Comedy Genre**: Contributed to early-2000s trends while subverting tropes through legal satire.

### Historical Context
- **Early 2000s Cinema**: Released during a peak period for romantic comedies (*How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days*, *50 First Dates*), distinguishing itself with sharper writing and star power.
- **Coen Brothers’ Career**: Marked a return to comedy after *The Man Who Wasn’t There* (2001), showcasing their genre flexibility.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0138524/)
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6. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
7. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/intolerable-cruelty)
8. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0138524/fullcredits)
9. Museum of Modern Art online collection
10. The Movie Database
11. Intolerable Cruelty. Rotten Tomatoes
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